News
Zulum approves N4.8bn foreign, local scholarship

Zulum approves N4.8bn foreign, local scholarship
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved N4.8 billion foreign and local scholarships for 524 Brono indigenes to study postgraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The governor flagged off the scholarship scheme on Friday at the multi-purpose hall of the Government House, Maiduguri.

He said his government had allocated a total of ₦4,852,955,000 for scholarships, with ₦241,000,000 for the tuition fees of 241 Master’s degree candidates in Nigerian universities; ₦141,000,000 for the tuition fees of 94 PhD candidates in Nigerian universities; ₦1,105,500,000 for the tuition fees of 147 Master’s degree candidates to study abroad and ₦286,350,000 for the tuition fees of 42 PhD candidates to study abroad.
The governor charged the beneficiaries to be dedicated to their studies and exploit all opportunities that would add value to their professional roles.

“It is imperative to emphasise that with great opportunities come great responsibilities. Scholarship recipients must recognise this rare opportunity and approach their academic pursuits with diligence and dedication. We expect you to demonstrate a strong commitment to your studies and, subsequently, to any professional roles you undertake,” Zulum said.
He added, “This dedication is crucial to ensuring that the benefits of your education contribute directly to the development and progress of our state. We trust that you will honour this commitment and use your knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact on our community.”

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, reiterated Governor Zulum’s commitment to providing scholarships for Borno indigenes.
Wakilbe said it is imperative to highlight the significant strides that Zulum’s administration had made in awarding scholarships.
He said that from May 2019 to date, a total of ₦8,864,495,010.70 had been spent on scholarships.
“Notably, since May 29th, 2023, ₦5,237,938,366 has been allocated for scholarships, exclusive of the ₦4,582,955,000 we are disbursing today. This reflects Zulum’s commitment to investing in the knowledge and training necessary for the advancement of our beloved state,” the commissioner said.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by the state chairman of APC, Honourable Bello Ayuba; the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Engr Abdullahi Askira; Majority leader Dige Mohammed and other members of the house.
Also present were the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani; the Head of Service, Barr Mallam Fannami, Commissioners and other top government officials.
Zulum approves N4.8bn foreign, local scholarship
Crime
11 kidnapped Benue Links passengers rescued in Okpokwu

11 kidnapped Benue Links passengers rescued in Okpokwu
By: Zagazola Makama
Eleven passengers abducted from a Benue Links commercial bus have been safely rescued in a forest near Ondo village in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Zagazola Makama recalls that the passengers were kidnapped on June 22 while travelling along the Otukpo–Enugu highway in a Benue Links Hummer bus.
Security sources reliably confirmed that the victims were freed on June 29 following sustained search operations by the security forced supported by local vigilance groups and the Benue State Civil Protection Guard.
Credible intelligence reportedly indicated that the kidnappers were moving the captives through a bush path around Ondo village in Ugbokolo. In response, the rescue teams swiftly mobilised and launched a coordinated search operation in the area.
After several hours of intense combing of the forest, the victims were found alive and safely evacuated to Ugbokolo town, where they were provided immediate care.
The rescued individuals were identified as Bam Joseph, Doom Terhile, Uju Mercy, Ashika Linda, Atule Ladi, Undia Iveren, Terfa Kwshdoo, Akume Hembadoon, Ikpeen Msendoo, Mlumun Hurt, and Philip Igbuan.
One of the victims, Philip Igbuan, suffered a deep machete wound to the head inflicted by the kidnappers and was immediately taken to the General Hospital in Ugbokolo for medical treatment.
The freed passengers have since been debriefed by the Police and Benue Links has arranged transportation to help them reach their original destinations and reunite with their families.
According to accounts from the victims, their abductors were heavily armed and are suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
11 kidnapped Benue Links passengers rescued in Okpokwu
Crime
Four police officers killed in ambush by suspected herdsmen in Benue

Four police officers killed in ambush by suspected herdsmen in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Atleast four mobile police officers attached to the 12 Police Mobile Force (PMF) unit were killed following an ambush by suspected armed herdsmen in Udei village, Guma Local Government Area.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the officers were on special duty when they came under heavy fire on June 29 while responding to a distress call.
The sources said that the officers were alerted around 2:00 p.m. that a large group of armed men, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, were advancing toward Udei village with a herd of cattle.
“The attackers had approached the vicinity of the primary school in Udei, which serves as a base for the deployed PMF 12 personnel. As the officers moved to intercept them, they were ambushed and attacked with heavy gunfire,” the report stated.
Four officers tragically lost their lives in the attack, and their service weapons were reportedly carted away by the assailants. The deceased officers were identified as: Insp. Samuel Bisalla, Insp. Emmanuel Bitrus, Insp. John Sunday and Insp. Kenneth Gabriel
Two other personnel, ASP Jacob Elisha and Insp. Zakari Bangajiya sustained injuries and was rushed to Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, for medical attention. They are said to be responding to treatment after suffering from exhaustion and shock.
The corpses of the fallen officers have been deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and medical examination.
In response to the attack, special tactical units and a reinforced team equipped with an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) have been deployed to Udei and the Daudu Divisional Headquarters to forestall further incidents and restore calm in the area.
Four police officers killed in ambush by suspected herdsmen in Benue
News
Breaking: Squatters Kill Famous KADVIS Local Commander in Kaduna

Breaking: Squatters Kill Famous KADVIS Local Commander in Kaduna
By Zagazola Makama
Squatters of a grazing forest by a large community of herders in Kaduna State on Sunday afternoon killed one of the Commanders of Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVIS).
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred in Yardoka Grazing Reserve in Kubau Local Government Area, located in Northern Kaduna Senatorial District.
The slain Commander, identified as Saleh Shuaibu, popularly known as Saleh Fiya-Fiya, who is the KADVIS Commander in Kubau Local Government, was killed when officials of the Kaduna State Government visited the area to carry out a government directive in a grazing reserve located at the said Yardoka forest.
The directive, according to a source in Anchau, the headquarters of the local council, was to allocate over 200 hectares of land to a certain company for investment purposes, a move the squatters are resisting due to lack of payment of compensation, while another source said the squatters have been paid but are still demanding more money.
Another source explained that the government officials arrived in the company of armed policemen along with personnel of the Department of State Services but were barricaded from accessing the reserve.
It was while the impasse was going on that the slain KADVIS alighted from a van and was intervening with the irate community members armed with cutlasses and sticks, while one of the protesters stabbed him with a knife and killed him on the spot. A claim Zagazola Makama is yet to confirm.
Breaking: Squatters Kill Famous KADVIS Local Commander in Kaduna
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